Fall Colors and Hangar Projects

The fall season is upon us here in east central Ohio with high temperatures in the low 50's and low temps soon to be in the high 30's. And with the late calendar dates and the cooler temperatures come the colors in the leaves of the trees. Here's a sample of the colors we're enjoying not only around the airport, but throughout Coshocton County.

Trees just across the runway

While God is outside painting His creation in bright red, orange, and gold we're inside the hanger preparing His tools for His service.

Dale performs an annual inspection on a missionary Cessna 172.

Andy and Tim continue work on the Honduran 206.

Chuck re-installs the sixth of the eight fuel tanks in the wings of the Canadian 337.

It's a beautiful time to be in this part of the country and it's an exciting time to be in service to our Lord. Thanks for being part of it through your gifts and your prayers.

And Now, Back To Our Regular Programming

With the completion of the King Air, we've returned to our "regular programming" of missionary airplane projects.

Honduran 206

Andy "rigs" one of the 206's flap motors.

Jim adjusts flap rigging as Tim continues with installing the interior.

Canadian 337

Chuck re-installs the fuel tanks after inspection and repair.

Brazilian 206

Paul sprays zinc-oxide paint to help protect structural repairs from corrosion.

King Air Inspection and A Taste of Fall

The guys just wrapped-up the King Air inspection. Everything went well, the inspection provided wonderful experience for our apprentice mechanics, and no major discrepancies were discovered. That being said, the aircraft is waiting for a new part to be delivered and installed before it can be returned to service. It seems a valve in one of the aircraft's systems does need to be replaced.

Tim, Mike, and Andy check the King Air's air-conditioning system.

Ian and Paul inspect an engine as Andy stands by to continue the compressor wash.

After the compressor wash and a/c system checks, the King Air undergoes engine test runs.

MMS Aviation

Some of the fall colors around the airport!

Engine Work on the King Air

Josh, Ian, Paul, and Ian continue to focus their efforts on finishing the inspection and routine service of the King Air's engines.

Josh

Paul

Ian

King Air Pase Inspection, Day 7

The guys continue to move closer to completion of Phase Inspection 3 & 4 on the King Air. Josh is reinstalling the interior, Andy is finishing the inspection of the tail structure, and Ian and Mike are inspecting the inside of the engines with a borescope. It's important to look inside a turbine engine and to inspect the rotors and vanes for the smallest defects due to the high-speeds and tremendous pressures generated within the engine.

Ian, on the ladder, positions the scope so the internal components of the right engine can be seen on the borescope's video screen. Mike, on the right, controls the scope imagery, and Dale assists in analyzing the visual details.

Ian removes the right side exhaust port of the left engine so it can be "scoped" as well.

Dale continues work on the annual inspection of a local Piper Comanche.

Inside and Outside the GCI King Air

Here are some contrasts in maintenance procedures. In the first shot, Mike has crawled under the control panel inside the cockpit. Josh assists Mike by moving the control yoke fore and aft as needed to accomplish the task behind the panel.

Mike and Josh inside the King Air.

In the second shot Andy uses an electric scissors lift to inspect the King Air's tail section and control surfaces.

Andy outside the King Air.

Whether working cramped inside the fuselage or high on a scissors lift outside the fuselage, it's still work. Work necessary to ensure the airworthiness of the airplane and the safety of the passengers it will soon carry.

It's a privilege to have the opportunity to maintain such an airplane and to have you as part of our team. Through your gifts and prayers, you're with Mike and Josh inside the airplane and with Andy up high on the lift outside the airplane. May God receive the glory.

Maintenance Continues On The King Air

The inspection process of Gospel Carrier International's King Air 200 continues to go deeper into the airframe and the engines. Simultaneously conducting phase inspections 3 & 4 is a great maintenance strategy minimizing aircraft down-time, while utilizing maximum manpower.

Ian & Paul inspect engine filters, Dennis & Tim address an airframe issue on the wing, and Mike checks engine components. Chuck, Andy, Josh, and Jim are also assigned to the project.

The Pratt Whitney PT-6 engine.

Ian closely scrutinizes one of the filters for the engine.

Paul matches new O-rings with various engine filters.